this was no california earthquake, the maryland geological survey said the last time we had a earthquake this big in this state, 1939. before that, you have to go all the way back to 1758. we were at the center of it all. >> reporter: the earthquake was exactly under your house three miles down. >> right here? >> can you believe it? right under your house. >> wow. >> reporter: they were shocked by the media horde that descended on their home. and shocked by the news that their house sits directly on top of the ancient fault that slipped and caused the earth to shake. >> i sat on my bed and thought -- i thought--i was expecting something else. i said, okay, i'll just go back to sleep. >> the 19,000 block of forest brook road is usually a remarkably peaceful spot. and vanessa perez first figured it was a car racing over the bump out front. >> the house shaked a little bit but this time it felt even harder. >> you guys went back to sleep? >> reporter: not a picture fell or a dish broke and molly the dog is about the only one who got worried. >> she was shaking. >> in three seconds you'll see it shak